The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has once again found itself at the center of controversy following a viral circular allegedly released by the Office of the Registrar announcing the approval of a new student dress code. The circular, said to have emanated from the University Council’s meeting held on June 3rd and 4th, 2025, was titled “Paper No. 5659” and claimed that the dress code had been officially reviewed and approved for implementation.
According to the document, students who violate the new code risk rustication for one semester. Infractions labeled as “misconduct” include wearing sexually provocative clothing, backless dresses, off-shoulder and transparent outfits, bum shorts, tattered jeans, and dreadlocks. Also prohibited are sagging, mini and skimpy dresses, unconventional face cap styles, hair braiding by male students, tattoos, heavy makeup, and haircuts with inscriptions.
The circular further intensified debates by listing a second category of violations that attract sterner punishment rustication for two semesters. These include coloured hairstyles, spangled hairstyles for males, hair braiding for males, and acts such as hugging, massaging, sitting on laps, or kissing the opposite sex within the campus premises. These additions have fueled outrage from the student body, many of whom see the rules as draconian.
Findings by Nigeria Education News reveal that the alleged circular has been circulating widely on social media since its emergence on July 24, 2025. The backlash has been especially vocal on X (formerly Twitter), where students and alumni have taken to the platform to vent their displeasure using the hashtag #NOtoDressCodeinOAU. For many students, the restrictions are reminiscent of secondary school regulations and are seen as both excessive and outdated.
In several trending posts, users criticized the scope and intent of the proposed dress code. One student, @Oluwatomiwa_, sarcastically tweeted, “I gats get reason to wear face cap because nah dressing misconduct.” Another, @heisIreee, questioned the morality angle, writing, “So make I no hug, because of OAU?” @DRealTripp added humorously, “OAU wan dey move like Covenant University with this dress code on top small 76k wey we dey pay for school fees.” These comments reflect the larger sentiment that the policy appears out of touch with university realities.
A reporter from Nigeria Education News interviewed Boluwatife, a student from the department of Political Science, who strongly criticized the circular. “I think the university management has no control over what people wear as long as they’re not the ones providing the clothes,” she said. She emphasized that the university should focus on academics, not social control, adding that “this is a university, not a church. We are adults, not children.”
Boluwatife further argued that the dress code failed to consider the cultural and religious diversity within the student body. “There’s a tribe where navel showing is part of their traditional wear. If I wanted to be a nun, I wouldn’t be in the university. Let’s focus on what matters in education,” she insisted. Her comments reflect a growing concern that the university may be infringing on students’ rights under the guise of moral regulation.
However, not everyone opposes the move. An alumnus of the university and legal practitioner, Barrister Kanmi Oladoyin, defended the dress code, stating that the council’s decision was meant to “restore sanity” in the academic environment. “No law is made for fun or intimidation,” he said. “Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. This policy is to clamp down on unwanted vices that threaten peace and order.”
Meanwhile, the Student Union Government (SUG) of the institution issued a formal response on June 24, 2025, condemning the dress code. The release, jointly signed by the President, General Secretary, and Public Relations Officer, described the policy as a violation of students’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression. They urged the university to reject the alleged circular just as it did in 2023 when a similar dress code policy surfaced.
In 2023, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarenwaju, had denied the authenticity of a similar circular. Then, in a widely publicized interview with The Punch, he described the document as unofficial and not reflective of the university’s position. That move had effectively calmed tensions, but the reemergence of the dress code in 2025 has reopened the debate on students’ autonomy and the role of school authorities.
Nigeria Education News made several attempts to reach Mr. Abiodun Olarenwaju, the current University PRO, to confirm the authenticity of the viral dress code circular. As of the time of filing this report, calls and emails went unanswered. His silence has left room for speculation and further confusion regarding the university’s official stance on the matter.
While the origin of the dress code remains contested, the public reaction underscores a significant disconnect between the university’s administration and its student population. Students argue that university education is not only about learning but also about personal development and the freedom to express oneself values that they feel are undermined by the new policy.
The rising tension also points to a broader conversation within Nigerian universities about autonomy, institutional discipline, and modern realities. While some stakeholders believe dress codes help maintain order, others argue that such regulations reflect deeper control tendencies that clash with the academic and developmental freedom higher education should represent.
As the controversy continues to brew, stakeholders are calling on the university management to clarify its position and consult widely with student representatives before enacting any policy with far-reaching implications. Until then, students are standing their ground and so is the hashtag: #NOtoDressCodeinOAU.
